Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif addresses the federal cabinet on February 4, 2026. SCREENGRAB
ISLAMABAD:
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, defending the decision to boycott the match against India in the T20 World Cup, on Wednesday said it was taken in solidarity with Bangladesh.
Pakistan came close to withdrawing from the tournament after Bangladesh pulled out for refusing to play in India, citing security concerns.
The government eventually cleared the team’s participation but it barred them from facing India in Colombo in a blockbuster clash on February 15.
“We have taken a clear stand regarding the T20 World Cup that we will not play the match against India,” he said while addressing the cabinet.
“There should be no politics in sports,” he said. “We have taken this stand after deliberating on it carefully,” he said, calling it an “appropriate decision”.
“We have taken a very considered stance and we should completely stand by Bangladesh and I think this is a very appropriate decision.”
Despite opting out of the India match, Pakistan’s participation in the rest of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 signals a calibrated approach rather than a full boycott, following days of speculation linked to the Bangladesh issue and regional tensions.
Balochistan attacks
Referring to the events since Saturday’s attacks across multiple locations in Balochistan, the prime minister said 180 terrorists “were sent to hell” while 17 security personnel were martyred and 31 civilians lost their lives.
“You saw what a distressing event occurred in Gwadar that they martyred five women and children. They are so stonehearted – they are not at all human.”
He said the nation would always remember the sacrifices of the martyrs, adding that it was the state’s responsibility to look after their heirs.
He said it must be borne in mind that since Pakistan had achieved victory in its May 2025 conflict against India, “our eastern neighbour – our foe – and other khwarij want to become a thorn in Pakistan’s happiness and prosperity but God willing this won’t happen and this terrorism will be completely eliminated.”
The premier said it must be remembered how labourers who had gone to Balochistan to earn their living and small children and women were killed, calling it a painful moment that had sent the entire nation into mourning.
“But similarly, the nation is completely standing as an iron-laden wall with its law enforcement agencies and army. There will come a day when these sacrifices will bear fruit and terrorism will be eliminated forever from the country.”
Iran and US tensions
Referring to the recent situation with Iran as the country’s tensions with the United States escalate, the prime minister said Pakistan had played its full role in the matter. He said that he, the deputy prime minister and the field marshal had contacted and consulted with the Iranian leadership at different points.
“We played our full role as a brother that could have been played. In this, the role of Qatar, Egypt, Oman, Turkiye, Saudi Arabia and all Islamic countries were also involved and the entire effort is that a way comes out through talks which ends the threats looming in the region and peace is established.”
The prime minister conveyed the message of solidarity of the government of Pakistan and the entire nation with the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir on the occasion of Kashmir Solidarity Day. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering support for the just cause of the Kashmiri people.
He said he would go to Azad Jammu and Kashmir himself to deliver a “message from the whole nation of solidarity”.
Meeting with K-P CM
PM Shehbaz also talked about his meeting with Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi on Monday, adding that they had a “very good” discussion.
Reiterating his past offer of support to the chief minister, PM Shehbaz said he told CM Afridi: “You are the chief minister of a very beautiful and important province where the people are very great Pakistanis and they’re brave and courageous who have given many sacrifices. In that regard, we kept one per cent for in the 2010 National Finance Commission (NFC) award before the divisible pool so you could look after terrorism-related matters.”
He said the chief minister was told that Rs800 billion had been given to K-P over the years under the NFC. PM Shehbaz added that CM Afridi reassured him of the completion of the Safe City project.
The premier said the chief minister made mention of some delayed payments to the province, adding that he immediately tasked Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal and the finance minister and secretary to hold a meeting and eliminate whatever payment gaps were there.
“In summation, it was a good meeting with him and there should be hope that the matter will move forward.”
